February 25th through March 17th, come celebrate a one-of-a-kind rodeo experience in the heart of Houston, Texas. When you’re finished visiting the Space Center, Houston Zoo, and Houston Museum of Natural Science, make your way down to the NRG Park for a peek into the wild west at The 2019 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Since 1932, The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has provided the best-of-the-best for its rodeo and livestock show fans. Born from the common goal of seven men, preserving Texas’ cattle industry along the Gulf Coast, the first Houston Fat Stock Show and Livestock Exposition was held at the Democratic Convention Hall. As demand, popularity and the need for a new location grew, the event was moved to the Sam Houston Coliseum and the addition of the rodeo, downtown parade, and horseshow took place.
After becoming a PRCA sanctioned rodeo in 1954, Houston’s favorite event was in for even bigger changes. With an official name change to The Houston Stock Show & Rodeo in 1961, a new era was dawning for the event, marked by their move to the Houston Astrodome. Popularity only grew and grew and in 2002 the event moved to its current home, the NRG Stadium. Throughout the years as names, locations, and events changed, many common goals remained, one of them being, honoring the past, present, and future of Texas’ western heritage.
With a total of 21 action-packed days, there is an abundance of activities to attend and choose from. From the rodeo to carnival, to a Bar-B-Que contest, various concerts, parade, trail rides, wine show and auction, livestock and horseshows, petting zoos, and more, the list goes on and on! For a full schedule of events visit the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo website, here!
From the King of Rock n’ Roll, Elvis Presley to the King of Country, George Strait, The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has seen its fair share of musical royalty. Whether you are there for the rodeo action or the singers on stage, there is something for the entire family to enjoy.
When it comes to rodeo action, check out the 19-day long Super Series competition as the best-of-best rodeo athletes compete in bareback riding, saddle bronc, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie down roping, team roping, and barrel racing. With $50,000 awarded to the winner of each event, round winnings, custom saddle, and belt buckle, the stakes are high. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Super Series will feature some of the world’s most famous rodeo athletes such as Trevor Brazile, Sherry Cervi, and Tuf Cooper.
Separate from the Super Series is the one-day Super Shootout on March 9th. By invitation only, athletes compete individually as well as in teams from renowned rodeos across America. Competing in barrel racing, saddle bronc, bull riding, and steer wrestling, athletes duke it out for the individual grand prize of $25,000. Teams have the chance to win $12,500. Teams include The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Rodeo Austin, The Calgary Stampede, The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, The National Western Stock Show, The San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo, and the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo.
Apart from preserving the western heritage of Texas, The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo also plays an integral role in community betterment. With a total of over 2 million people visiting the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo each year and more than 47,000 members making it a reality each year, the ability to give back to the communities of Texas is tremendous. Since 1932, the rodeo has been able to provide more than $475 million to students in the form of scholarships, grants, educational programs, and more.
Not only has the event made an impact in the classroom, but also in the workforce. Dr. Barton Smith, Ph.D. Professor of Economics from the University of Houston states, “While the primary benefit of the Rodeo is the unparalleled entertainment opportunities it provides the region and the large distribution of charitable giving, the Rodeo also provides a bonus economic stimulus to the overall economy that is significant. This stimulus is almost certainly greater than any other sports or arts production in Houston and is comparable to the presence of a major economic base corporation with local employment in excess of 3,000 employees” For more details on this economic study, click here.
Their mission statement says it, committed to heritage, community, education, and preservation, The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is ready for another successful year of action.
“The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage and provides year-round educational support within the community.”
Make sure to visit www.rodeohouston.com to keep up to date and purchase your tickets for this year’s festivities. Join in the fun as we here at Cowboy Lifestyle Network celebrate the 2019 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo this February 25th through March 17th!